Step-ladder.



J. SAMUELSON.

STEP LADDER.

APPLIOATION mum SEPT. 21, 1909.

Patented Sept. 20, 1910.

Elma/wt JACOB SAMUELSON, 0F HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA.

STEP-LADDER.

Application filed September 21, 1909.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 20, 1910.

Serial No. 518,806.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB SAMUELSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Healdsburg, in the county of Sonoma and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Inadders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in step ladders.

The object of my invention is to provide a step ladder especially constructed to meet the needs of fruit pickers, the ladder being so constructed that the braces or standards may be given any desired position to properly hold the ladder.

Another object is to provide a step ladder with a bracing member, arranged to further serve as a holder for two swivel members,

to which the supporting legs or bracing standards are pivotally connected.

WVith the above and other objects in view, the present invent-ion consists in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a. fruit pickers step ladder embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail through the bracing member as used in my invention. Fig. 4 shows a modification of the standard securing means.

In the harvesting of certain fruits it is necessary that each be separately picked. WVhere the fruit is hand-picked, a light, simply constructed and readily operated ladder is required so arranged that the supporting braces or legs may be properly, held at any angle, to meet the topographical irregularities of the ground.

In the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the two similar side stiles of a ladder, 6 the top tread, and 7 the intermediate treads. The side stiles 5 near their upper ends along the rear edges are provided with a mortise 8.

In connection with the step ladder I employ a brace member in the form of a channel bar, comprising the central portion 9 and the two oppositely positioned flanges 10 and 11. The flanges 10 and 11 at two points near their ends are apertured as shown at 15. Extending outwardly from the central portion 9 are the two similar square securing cars 14, each having a bolt opening, while extending upwardly from the upper flange 11 is the perforated car 13 and extending downwardly from the lower flange 10 is the securing ear 12, this ear also having an opening. The supporting ears 14 are held within the mortises 8 and are secured to the stiles 5 by means of suitable bolts. The oppositely positioned car 13 as well as the lower ear 12 are also secured to the side stiles by means of suitable bolts. From this it will be seen that in the use of the channel member I provide a maximum of rigidity with a minimum of weight, while each stile is secured to this brace member at three distinct points.

Held within the apertures 15 of the upper and lower flanges 10 and 11, are the stems 20 of the standard holding members 21 which carry the pins 22 to which the supporting standards or legs 23 are in turn pivotally connected. By means of a suitable cotter pin 24 which passes through the stems 20, these leg-securing members are revolubly secured to the brace. This arrangement then permits each supporting standard being independently adjusted so that the ladder may be placed upon uneven ground and be properly held. WVhile not in use, the supporting legs 23 snugly fit against the treads.

The device is simple and inexpensive in construction and both durable and efficient in operation, and as has been stated, each supporting leg may be held at any desired angle.

WVhat is claimed is:

1. The combination with the two side stiles of a ladder, of a sheet metal brace comprising a main portion and two parallel flanges provided with registering apertures near each end, said main portion having an outstanding perforated securing ear, said flanges each having a securing car at each end extending at right angles, bolts passing through all of said ears to secure the same to said stiles, a stem revolubly held within each of said apertures and having a securing head, a pin carried by each head, and a standard pivotally secured to each pin.

2. The combination with a ladder, of a to hold said stems Within said apertures, each stem having a head, a pin carried by each head, and a supporting standard held to each of said pins.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB SAMUELSON.

Witnesses:

M. MARKS, W. D. JONES. 

